provide an overview of the source

'The World of Wonders: A Record of Things Wonderful in Nature, Science, and Art' is a book published in 1896 by Cassell and Company, Limited, which compiles articles on a wide variety of marvels. The book's intent is captured by a quote on its title page from poet Henry Kirke White: 'What does Philosophy impart to man But UNDISCOVERED WONDERS?... She but extends the scope of wild amaze And Admiration'. The digital version of the text was created by the Internet Archive in 2015.

Content and Structure

The book is a collection of short, illustrated articles covering a vast range of subjects. A detailed index at the beginning lists the topics alphabetically under broad categories.

The subjects covered include:
* Natural Phenomena: Articles describe natural wonders such as 'Niagara in Winter,' 'Earthquakes,' 'Glaciers,' 'The Wonders of the Alps,' and 'The Sahara'.
* Science: Scientific topics are explored in entries like 'The Wonders of Digestion,' 'Wonders of Coal,' 'The Wonders of Light,' and articles on animalcules and butterfly life.
* Art and Construction: The book details marvels of human creation, including 'The Alhambra,' 'The Great Pyramid,' 'The Coliseum,' 'The Britannia Bridge,' and 'The Porcelain Tower of Nankin'.
* Human and Historical Curiosities: It also covers unique human stories and historical artifacts with articles on 'The Man with the Iron Mask,' 'The Bayeux Tapestry,' 'Wonderful Highwaymen,' 'Giants,' 'Dwarfs,' and 'The Bravery of Women'.

Illustrations

In addition to illustrations within the text, the book contains several full-page plates. These include depictions of:
* Niagara in Winter
* The Pyramids
* The Giant Geyser
* The Court of Lions, Alhambra
* The Aurora Borealis
* An Avalanche